Information Society

The JRC supports the European Commission's Digital Agenda by assessing its policies towards economic recovery and competitiveness – digital economy, Single Digital Market and industrial analysis of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. All these policies have as purpose to help Europe's citizens and businesses get the most out of digital technologies.

Our research also explores the conditions for digital competences, for innovative and creative learning and skilling, as well as the influence of ICT for employment/employability, cultural diversity and socio-economic inclusion.

Our multi-disciplinary teams bring together socio-economic and scientific/technological expertise and carry out techno-economic research and generate prospective analyses and strategies related to a knowledge-based society and knowledge economy. The JRC develops scientific tools (both qualitative and quantitative) that allow this research to be carried out efficiently, and compiles databases of information relevant to all aspects of information society.

TEFIS is one such recent example where emerging trends in Information Society Technologies up to a 15-year time period were studied, using integrated techno-economic foresight analyses leading to strategic priority-setting.

eHealth and the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Active and Healthy Ageing is another example. Within the framework of EIP, we monitor and analyse the deployment of eHealth throughout the UE and assess the impact of the different related policies.

For further information on the European Commission's information society policies, please check the Digital Agenda for Europe.

Mission

As the Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre's mission is to provide EU policies with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle. Working in close cooperation with policy Directorates-General, the JRC addresses key societal challenges while stimulating innovation through developing new methods, tools and standards, and sharing its know-how with the Member States, the scientific community and international partners.